Go For It, Alex — and We Did Too!
- lifeatglobe
- 14 minutes ago
- 12 min read
When Alex Eala made history, Globe didn't just celebrate from the sidelines. We showed up — and our people made it personal.
It happened late on a July night in Washington, D.C., when most of the Philippines was still awake, refreshing scores on their phones and watching streams on their laptops. A 21-year-old named Alex Eala, a Filipino trailblazer, and the quietest storm the WTA had seen in years — was one set down in the Mubadala DC Open final. Then the rain came. Then she came back. And when she dismantled top-ranking athletes, in front of a crowd waving Filipino flags, she became the first Filipino in history to win a WTA Tour singles title.
In the stands, there were tears. Back home, there were screams. And at Globe, there was a particular kind of pride that goes beyond a press release. This wasn't just a win for Alex. It was ours, too.
What It Means to Champion Someone
Globe has walked alongside Alex Eala for years — through the junior Grand Slam titles, through the grinding climb up the rankings, through the setbacks that didn't make the headlines and the breakthroughs that did. Being a sponsor is easy when someone is already at the top. The rarer thing is choosing to believe in someone before the story is finished and staying in their corner through every chapter.
That's the relationship Globe has with Alex, and her DC Open title felt like a shared destination finally reached.
"For Globe, Alex Eala embodies world-class Filipino talent, inspiring grit and hard work, telling the world that Filipinos have what it takes to compete and win," said Carl Cruz, Globe President and CEO.
"Her journey is a wonderful story of hope for all of us. When we rally behind our own, we inspire more Filipinos to dream bigger and believe in ourselves that we can make things happen."
It's the right word — rally. Because that's exactly what followed.
The Homecoming
When Alex Eala came home, Globe made sure she didn't walk back into an empty room.
The Homecourt: The Alex Eala Fan Meet Experience was part celebration, part reunion, and entirely unforgettable. The event brought together Globe customers, students, fans, youth, and sports enthusiasts in the Philippines for an evening built around one idea: that a win this big deserves to be felt together, not just watched alone. There was an on-stage conversation — candid, warm, and completely her — and a global livestream that made sure Filipinos wherever they were in the world could be present for the moment.
Globe's senior leaders had prepared something personal for Alex, a gift, a gesture of genuine appreciation that went beyond the sponsor-athlete formality and landed somewhere much more human.
Top photo: Alex Eala with Mariana Beatriz Zobel de Ayala, Managing Director of Ayala Corporation, and Senior Vice President, Board Director, and Head of the Leasing and Hospitality Group at Ayala Land, Inc., and KD Dizon, Chief Marketing Officer of Globe Telecom
Bottom photo: Alex Eala with Globe's Senior Leaders Renato Jiao, Chief Human Resource Officer, Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officers, and Carlo Puno, Chief Finance Officer
When it was presented to her in front of the crowd, the room felt it. It wasn't a campaign moment. It was a thank you, the kind that comes from people who have been watching, believing, and cheering all along.
"I genuinely felt everyone's love and support during each match, so it's wonderful to be home again and to have this special fan meet, thanks to Globe," Alex said.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to inspire and elevate Filipino talent on the global stage. I've worked with Globe as an ambassador for many years because of its larger purpose of uplifting Filipino lives every day, and I'm happy we got to share that purpose through this special homecoming fan meet."
"This homecoming was a rare opportunity to bring Filipino fans and Globe's loyal customers closer to a talented athlete whose success has inspired the entire nation," said Darius Delgado, Globe Chief Commercial Officer. "We turned a moment of national pride into something more personal, more memorable, and even more rewarding for everyone who continues to support and celebrate Filipino excellence."
When Ka-Globe Got to Be in the Room
Here's the thing about Alex Eala that doesn't always make it into the sports coverage: she makes people feel something.
Photos grabbed from Globe Telecom's Facebook Page
It's one thing to watch her from a couch or a stadium seat. It's another to be in the same room — close enough to see the focus in her eyes, to hear the way she talks about failure like it's just information, to watch how she holds herself in a crowd that is openly, loudly, completely in love with her. Globe's employees got that chance at the Homecourt fan meet, and for many of them, being there shifted something.
Because Alex Eala doesn't just inspire you to love tennis. She inspires you to think about the moments in your own life when you were behind in the second set — when the rain came, when the crowd noise was too much, when the math wasn't working in your favor — and you found a way to keep going anyway.
Photos grabbed from Globe Telecom's Facebook Page
Before the event, we asked our Ka-Globe a simple question: What's one moment when you chose to go for it, even when it felt uncertain?
The answers that came back had nothing to do with tennis. They were about careers risked and families held together. About leaving familiar things behind for better things ahead. About the courage it takes to raise a child alone, to say sorry to someone you've lost, to send a resume when you're forty and sure everyone will say no. They were, in the most essential way, the same story Alex tells — just lived out in offices and hospital rooms and foreign cities instead of on a tennis court.
This is the thing about being a Ka-Globe. The values that push Alex forward — the refusal to let one bad set define the match — are the same values that show up in the people who answer our phones, build our networks, and serve our customers every day. That's not a coincidence. That's culture.
Ka-Globe Goes For It
These are their stories.
"My peers very well know that my dream company since I was in college is Globe. So applying in Globe at age 40 during the pandemic has been my most 'suntok sa buwan' moment to date! That was when the noise has been so loud: 'Ok na naman sa work, bakit ka pa lilipat?' 'Di ka ba masaya?' '40 ka na, lilipat ka pa?' 'Sino kilala mo dyan?' But despite all that outside noise, my heart and dream emerged — and won!"
— Bien Buenaventura,NTG
"I am so proud of Alex Eala's achievements, and despite life uncertainties, I believe that hope and goal setting can lead to success. Even though our branch Globe Rockwell was closed, I held onto hope, thinking that my mission to serve customers was not yet over. And today I am grateful to be back as an Officer A, dedicated to providing compassionate service. I remain hopeful and committed to my purpose despite challenges."
— Howlin Mosquera Tanala, B2C Territory 4
"You never truly know if you can reach the finish line until you take the first step, just as I learned from completing my recent marathon. Every milestone I have achieved began with the courage to move forward despite uncertainty, just as Alex Eala's journey began with believing she belonged on the world stage. Every journey has taught me one simple truth: in the face of uncertainty, just take the first step — and 'Kapag lumago, hindi na hihinto.'"
— Jonas Bajandi, ISG
"It's been 4 years since I joined Globe. I was in my last year of college and still taking my finals when my neighbor, a fellow Ka-Globe, encouraged me to join the cadetship program. I hadn't even graduated yet when I sent in my resume. I was not certain that I would be accepted, nor was my future secured by my exams, but I persevered and was invited to the 3-day bootcamp. It was a blessing and an answered prayer. Taking a leap of faith and pursuing my dream of being a Ka-Globe was an uncertainty I'm grateful I embraced."
— Precious Sorita, PEDG
"I am afraid of the water when I was in HS, but tuition fees in our school is really steep, so I tried swimming since there are only a few players there, so I have more chances of being a varsity. In 2 years, I became an NCAA player, and a Philippine team member on my last year in HS."
— Mykee Nodalo, Broadband
"I've always been the type of person that if something feels scary, it's more likely that I will be itched to do it and say yes, or else I will regret. I once hurled myself into the unknown and flew abroad alone to work and see what I really wanted for my life — uncertain, terrified, and deliciously lost, but more alive than I had ever felt. That single, reckless leap became one of the most defining and electrifying decisions of my life. Since then, my core has been simple: to just go for it, to stand indubitably present in the moment, and to leave no room for the quiet ache of regret."
— Diane Paula Rodriguez, Human Resources
"Like Alex, I choose not to let one setback define my future. I may have gone through an unfortunate marriage, but I kept moving forward, rebuilding myself one step at a time while continuing to pursue my dreams. One failure doesn't mean the end of your story — it simply becomes part of the journey that shapes who you become. My personal story is far from tennis, but the heart and mindset are the same."
— Kathleen Janelle Munoz, NTG
"When the time my mom got sick and I need to be strong for her. I know she was counting on me to take care of her, kahit malayo na ako nakatira. The only thing I thought of was making her happy. All I did was making her laugh every day, making jokes while making her feel na magiging ok ang lahat. Until the time na naghihingalo sya, I was massaging her legs and arms — which she really loves. Super cry ako that moment. Alam ko and praying na magiging relax sya sa pag alis nya."
— Catherine Dela Cruz, Finance and Admin
"One of the bravest decisions I made was returning to my hometown to apologize to a dear friend. I truly believed our friendship was beyond saving, but I chose to face the uncertainty because I wanted my apology to be sincere and my remorse to be seen, not just heard. That moment of courage restored our friendship, and to this day, she remains one of my dearest friends."
— Princes May Peralta, CXC
"Before joining Globe, I was searching for a better-paying job because my father had lost his job during the recession. It was a difficult time for our family, and I knew we needed a stable source of income so my younger brother and sister could continue their education. I wasn't confident in my credentials. I didn't do particularly well in school, and I often felt I was at a disadvantage. But I refused to let that define me. I worked hard, kept learning, and gave every opportunity my best effort. Today, I'm proud to be part of Globe. Not only have I been able to help support my family and my siblings' education, but I've also found a career that I genuinely enjoy."
— Alexander Raven Arguelles, OSMCXE
"I am a single mother raising my daughter, who has mild autism. Caring for her has brought many challenges, but it has also made me stronger and more determined to give her every opportunity to succeed. To support her development, I work hard to provide the therapies and educational services she needs. Despite the financial and emotional challenges, I will continue to do everything I can for her. My greatest hope is for my daughter to become confident, independent, and able to reach her full potential. As her mother, I will always do whatever it takes."
— Ma. Shirley Riel, NTG
"One of the biggest leaps of faith I took was resigning from my previous company because I wanted to explore new opportunities and challenge myself to grow. Although stepping away from a familiar role was uncertain, that decision ultimately led me to Globe, where I've continued to learn and develop. Going forward, I'll keep embracing change with confidence, knowing that growth begins with the courage to take the first step."
— John Joseph David Paje, PXG
"One moment when I chose to go for it was when I decided to move abroad to continue my studies. My stepdad offered me the opportunity, and I knew I had to make a difficult choice. Staying would have meant putting my education and future at risk. Leaving meant saying goodbye to my grandparents, my friends, and everything familiar to me. It was scary to start over, knowing I would be living in a different city without my mom. But I saw it as my chance to graduate and finish school. Looking back, it was one of the hardest decisions I ever made, but it became one of the most important turning points in my life."
— Yves Bernadette Vergara, CMG SM Dasmarinas
"Being laid off when Globe Trinoma closed in 2024 was one of the most uncertain moments of my career. When Globe gave us a second chance by rehiring affected employees, I chose to return with gratitude, resilience, and a renewed commitment to give my best every single day. That experience reminded me that sometimes life's greatest opportunities come disguised as setbacks, and going for it with faith can lead to an even stronger comeback."
— Marites de Vera, B2C - CMG Globe SM North EDSA
"When I learned I was pregnant, I was also facing serious health challenges — preeclampsia, uncontrolled high blood pressure, neurological problems. The risks were real. There were no guarantees. I was afraid, and the uncertainty felt overwhelming. Yet I chose to continue. It wasn't because I knew everything would turn out well. It was because I believed that some decisions are made not with certainty, but with courage. That season of my life reminds me that I am stronger than I often give myself credit for. Even in the face of uncertainty, I found the strength to keep going."
— Rosalie Panganiban, OSMCX CXM
"Stepping onto the court for the first time felt incredibly uncertain, especially knowing how steep the tennis learning curve can be — but watching Alex's fierce determination inspired me to just grab a racket and go for it. What started as a hesitant experiment completely transformed into a passion. Embracing that initial discomfort was entirely worth it for the joy of playing today."
— Christian De Torres, B2C TM&S
"I started playing tennis to lose weight 2 years ago, when I was already 34. After losing 80 lbs by choosing to play almost every day, I have collected trophies and medals in the sport. I couldn't even finish a flight of stairs without panting before; now I feel light, I move freely, and I'm able to play tennis for hours!"
— Pau Pamatmat, Corporate Finance & Strategy
"Even though my team was a major underdog — shorter, older, and almost entirely lacking international experience — I still chose to go for it at the Taipei International Dragon Boat Festival. Facing the world's biggest and best paddlers brought massive uncertainty, but we refused to let our disadvantages hold us back. Through sheer grit and perseverance, we pushed past our limits and captured an incredible second-place finish."
— Aaron Keith Pascual, The Data Group
"One moment I chose to go for it was applying for the Globe Pathfinder Program under the Ayala Group Summer Internship Program (AGSIP), even though I wasn't sure I would be selected. I took the chance anyway, and now I am one of the selected 115 interns from thousands of applicants. The experience has not only strengthened my confidence but also made me see Globe as a place where I hope to build my career and continue creating meaningful impact through strategy and innovation."
— Martin Lorenzo Bustos, Enterprise Data and Strategic Services
"In 2015, I took a massive leap of faith by applying to become a Jesuit seminarian, completely unsure of the outcome but committing to two years of formation. This set off a lifelong pattern of embracing the unknown to chase my passions — from being a high school teacher to community development work at the Ayala Foundation, and most recently into the corporate world at Globe in 2025. Every pivot felt highly unpredictable at the start. But I always choose to go for it because I refuse to let uncertainty limit my ambition and desire to make an impact."
— Mark Jason A. Alcantara, Sustainability and Corporate Communications
Photos grabbed from Globe Telecom's Facebook Page
The Same Spirit, Different Courts
Alex Eala goes into the US Open next — still ranked at a career-high world No. 20, still carrying the momentum of a summer that rewrote Filipino tennis history. The Filipino flags will fill another stadium. The crowd will be awake past midnight back home. And somewhere in the noise, you'll hear something that sounds a lot like what Ka-Globe sounds like at its best: loud, proud, and completely behind one of their own.
Because that's what this homecoming reminded us. The spirit that drove Alex back from a set down in Washington — the belief that it's worth going for it even when the result isn't certain — lives in this company. It lives in the 40-year-old who applied to her dream job and drowned out all the noise that said she couldn't. In the single mother working double shifts so her daughter can go to therapy. In the employee who came back after a branch closure and chose gratitude over bitterness. In every Ka-Globe who has ever stood at the edge of something scary and decided to step forward anyway.
"When we rally behind our own," Carl Cruz said, "we inspire more Filipinos to dream bigger."
Alex Eala is one of our own. And so is every person in these pages.
Go for it. Go forward together.
Follow Alex's journey and find out how Globe continues to uplift Filipino lives every day at www.globe.com.ph.
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